Chapter 107: After the Victory

Meanwhile, far away in Tunisia, Napoleon also received the telegram from the front line. Upon learning that the French army had annihilated the Austrian First Cavalry Division at a small cost, Napoleon finally felt a sense of relief.

"Excellent, Murat did a splendid job. This time, we managed to completely annihilate an Austrian cavalry division, significantly weakening Philip's forces. And since Karl is hiding in Venice and refuses to come out, I can now focus all my attention on Florence and Rome," Napoleon said excitedly.

The Hungarian hussars had always been the backbone of the Austrian forces. They were swift and fierce in combat, inheriting the bloodline and habits of their Hun ancestors. In battles, wherever they went, they would plunder and slaughter, instilling fear in many. 

Now, the French army had managed to surround and annihilate an entire Hungarian hussar division, leaving other nations in awe. Austria was a strong European power, and few nations could defeat them head-on, let alone completely destroy a Hungarian hussar division. 

Cavalry could come and go like the wind; if the battle turned unfavorable, they could retreat quickly. This made the goal of completely surrounding and annihilating such a formidable cavalry nearly impossible. 

When the news spread, many people initially didn't believe it.

…

France: Paris

Immediately after the victory in the Italian campaign, Napoleon conveyed the news to the French government. This was to inform the government of the current situation so they could adjust military supplies and logistics accordingly. 

Additionally, it was to boost the morale of the French people and the government. By making them fully aware of the victories achieved by the French army in the Italian battlefield, they could feel reassured and motivated to support the ongoing war efforts. 

The military intelligence was relayed quickly, as Napoleon issued strict orders for the messengers to deliver the news to Paris within three days. 

Upon receiving the news, all the government officials in Paris were initially in disbelief.

They never expected Napoleon to achieve such rapid progress on the Italian front. After all, he was up against the powerful Holy Roman Empire, which had superior numbers and larger territories compared to France. 

Initially, all government officials believed that Napoleon would face setbacks on the battlefield, with the best-case scenario being a stalemate between the two sides. 

However, within less than a month of the campaign, Napoleon had captured Milan and Tunisia. He even managed to annihilate a Hungarian hussar cavalry division in Florence. 

This overwhelming victory nearly went to their heads. Some optimistic government officials even believed that defeating the Austrians might now be possible. 

It seemed as if Italy might return to the French fold. 

Consequently, the French government officials quickly shifted from indecision to full support for Napoleon's war against Austria. They also disseminated the news through newspapers to all the residents of Paris. 

They wanted every French citizen to know that the First Consul of France, His Excellency Napoleon, had achieved consecutive victories against the once-invincible Austrians on the Italian battlefield. 

With the government's extensive propaganda efforts, the news quickly spread throughout France, stirring the entire nation. 

All of France was enveloped in an atmosphere of joy, with citizens spontaneously taking to the streets to celebrate the victories Napoleon had brought them. 

As a result of these events, Napoleon's personal prestige rose once again.

...

England: London

The British mainland was not far from France, separated only by the Channel. However, the atmosphere in the two countries was starkly different at this moment. 

In London, within the opulent Buckingham Palace, King George III was handling domestic affairs. Although Britain was a constitutional monarchy, the political parties within the country were not yet very strong, and the British royal family still held considerable influence. 

"Knock, knock, knock!"

The sound of knocking drew King George III's attention. 

"Who is it? Come in!" King George III said softly. 

"Your Majesty, it is I, the Field Marshal, Wellington." Upon hearing the King's call, the person outside immediately opened the door and walked in. 

The visitor, with blond hair and blue eyes, possessed the typical features of an Anglo-Saxon, unmistakably a true Englishman.

"Is that you, Wellington? What's going on with the army?" King George III inquired curiously upon seeing the visitor. The Duke of Wellington was the Field Marshal of the British Army, so his visit likely signaled an issue concerning the army. Despite being a maritime nation that prioritized the navy over the army, Britain still valued its land forces. King George III, in particular, believed the army was crucial for tasks like occupying new colonies and maintaining order within them.

"Your Majesty, this is intelligence from Vice Admiral Nelson of the Mediterranean Fleet. I believe it's worth your attention." Wellington first saluted King George III respectfully before handing over the intelligence report from Nelson.

"A report from Vice Admiral Nelson? That's unusual. Since when did Nelson concern himself with army matters?" King George III looked up, intrigued. The relationship between the army and navy was often contentious in any country, particularly in Britain, where the Royal Navy commanded 80% of the military budget, leaving a mere 20% for the army.

"Let me see what kind of intelligence Nelson has sent that warrants a visit from you, the Field Marshal," King George III said with a smile, slowly opening the report. His smile quickly faded upon reading the contents.

"The Austrians have been dealt such a severe blow? An entire cavalry division annihilated in Florence?" King George III muttered, almost to himself.

"Yes, Your Majesty. The Austrians have indeed underperformed on the battlefield. As the French newspapers say, they've become a giant with feet of clay," Wellington replied with a stern expression.

"In that case, does this mean our strategy of using Austria to check the French might fail?" King George III asked, frowning. France was a formidable power with vast territories and extensive coastlines. Such a nation had immense potential and could even strengthen its navy while maintaining a powerful army. Britain, reliant on its naval supremacy, would face dire consequences if France rose unchallenged.

"Absolutely, Your Majesty. The balance of power is shifting, and we must reconsider our approach. Allowing France to rise unchecked is unacceptable. It's our fundamental policy to prevent their ascension," Wellington affirmed, sharing King George III's concerns.

King George III remained deep in thought. The implications of France's recent victories under Napoleon were far-reaching, threatening not only Austria but also Britain's strategic position in Europe.

However, with Britain's relatively weak army, directly challenging France was out of the question. Therefore, Britain had to rely on its powerful navy while allying with other countries' armies to suppress France. Now, with Austria's devastating defeat on the Italian front, they seemed unable to continue bearing the burden of checking France.

"No, Your Majesty, the situation is not as dire as it seems. The Austrians have only suffered a single defeat. Given their vast territories, this loss is merely a setback. Austria still has considerable war potential," Wellington explained as he saw King George III's furrowed brow.

"Then why are you here? Do you want me to dispatch the navy to assist the Austrians or increase the army's budget?" King George III asked, lifting his head. These were the only solutions he could think of.

"Your Majesty, I would certainly welcome both of those actions. However, that is not my primary purpose for coming here today," Wellington replied.

"Oh? What else is there?" King George III was puzzled. He couldn't fathom what else could be significant enough to concern Wellington, the Field Marshal of the British Army.

"Your Majesty, please take a closer look at the last part of the report," Wellington suggested.